From http://builtforthemission.com/a-29-vs-at-6.php
Posted on 05/20/2011 6:02:08 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Sierra Nevada Corporation and Embraer Launch BuiltForTheMission.com
(Source: Sierra Nevada Corporation; issued May 19, 2011)
SPARKS, Nev. --- As part of their bid to supply aircraft, training and support for the United States Air Force's Light Air Support (LAS) mission, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Embraer have launched a new – to highlight the capabilities of the A-29 Super Tucano and how its selection benefits the warfighter and the U.S. economy.
The A-29 Super Tucano will be built in Jacksonville, FL by American employees and with parts from American companies. Aircraft training will be provided in Clovis, NM. More than 60 U.S. suppliers in 19 states will supply parts or services for this contract. At least 1,200 U.S. jobs will be supported through this contract.
"Selection of the A-29 Super Tucano is a win for the mission, a win for the warfighter, and a win for the American companies and American workers who will contribute to the process," said Taco Gilbert, SNC's Vice President of ISR Business Development. "SNC teamed with Embraer to offer the Super T because it is the single best combat-proven platform for the LAS mission."
The LAS mission requires a non-developmental solution that provides the versatility, engagement, and persistence that the warfighter needs in a counterinsurgency environment, at a significantly lower cost. That aircraft must offer intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support; deliver a wide variety of munitions (including precision guided weapons); and operate in extremely rugged terrain and austere conditions.
Developed for defense and security operations in the jungles of the Amazon River Basin where runaways are often improvised in a very austere environment, the A-29 Super Tucano is a light attack plane built specifically for counterinsurgency missions. Combat proven, the over 150 units now in operation around the globe have logged over 16,000 combat hours with no combat losses. An exceptional light attack and trainer aircraft, it is employed by five air forces across the globe and on order with others -- excelling in the LAS mission every day. The Super T's low operational cost makes long, complex counterinsurgency missions possible for a fraction of the cost of jets.
"The Super Tucano was built for this mission," said Gary Spulak, President Embraer Aircraft Holdings North America. "The Super T is a clean sheet design, built for combat, COIN and optimized for the U.S. Air Force. It makes no compromises on crew survivability, aircraft controllability or mission effectiveness."
The Super T is certified with over 130 external stores configurations. It has the same Hands-on-Throttle-and-Stick (HOTAS) and cockpit configuration as a modern fourth generation fighter aircraft. Yet, it is highly efficient to operate and easy to fly. It has unrivaled endurance, giving the warfighter the persistent ISR, kinetic, or training support. Its rugged landing gear and its long and broad stance of the gear enable routine operations on unpaved runways and excellent ground handling characteristics that frighten lesser aircraft. The lengths of the fuselage and flight controls ensure precise control even under the full throttle of its 1600 hp engine.
The LAS program will provide the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps with approximately 20 aircraft and another 15 to the USAF for its partner building capability. The decision is expected to be announced in June.
Founded in 1963, SNC's seven unique business areas employ over 2100 people in 29 different locations in 15 states – all of whom are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to SNC's dynamic customer base.
Embraer-U.S. is part of Embraer S.A. is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 120 seats, and one of Brazil's leading exporters. Founded in 1969, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft and systems for the commercial aviation, executive aviation, and defense and security segments. It also provides after sales support and services to customers worldwide. On March 31, 2011, Embraer had a workforce of 17,253 employees – not counting the employees of its partially owned subsidiaries – and its firm order backlog totaled US$ 16.0 billion.
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From http://builtforthemission.com/a-29-vs-at-6.php
Always liked the looks of the Tucano
Company is from Brazil....no frickin thanks...
We still make planes in america you know....
The AT-6 is the only plane to accomplish every mission in the fly-off that was held. I’d say performance in the air is quite a bit more important than performance on paper.
Just buy cropdusters. They seem to have worked well for the Libyans.
For instance, HBC got one of the flights changed so they wouldn't have to drop one of the two inert Mk82 to be carried. They didn't want to drop one and then have to step-down into a simulated strafe pattern with an asymmetric load because they're having controllability problems that haven't been solved yet.
To your final statement, the AT-6 is the paper airplane. There are only two prototypes and the aircraft hasn't been certified to drop weapons yet. In the meantime the A-29 has been taking out FARC leadership in Colombia at night using LGBs.
Embraer plans to build these planes in the US. And HBC is half Canadian with a manufacturing plant in Mexico if I recall.
If you don't believe me call HBC. But be advised; you may have trouble reaching anyone because they're in the process of moving to Mexico. Two plants there already and a third on the way.
“Embraer plans to build these planes in the US. And HBC is half Canadian with a manufacturing plant in Mexico if I recall.”
And they will sell the specs and weaknesses to the chicoms or anyone else who wants them...
I didnt stutter...NO THANKS.
NO foreign owned companies should be in our military supply chain...PERIOD.
Event the chi-coms now want to become US defense contractors...
http://www.china-defense-mashup.com/ge-aviation-partner-in-china-seeks-us-deals.html
And some brilliant libtards will go for it no doubt...
Remember...AL Gore and Clinton bestow a boeing plant to china and in just like magic china comes up with a stealth fighter that looks pretty much like an F-22 clone...
Yet no one makes the OBVIOUS connection....they didnt get the designs from Russia...they stole or bought them from boeing...
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2011-01/14/content_11854659.htm
Well then.... we are basically screwed on future air superiority...
Cuz I’m sure none of these foriegn companies would ever sell anything to china...
/sarc
Well, there are several foreign companies in the US defense chain. From around the world. If Boeing did give a stealth design to China, they should be tried for treason.
Actually performance against the enemy might be more important.
In the case of the A-29 Super Tucano we could know by now.
IMMINENT FURY NEEDED IMMINENT FURY was 2009 program to lease Four (not-paper) Super Tucanos for EMBRAER for evaluation by US NAVY special Forces in Afghanistan. The Navy wanted them, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal wanted them.
“The immediate deployment of the Imminent Fury team into Afghanistan will validate the concept while simultaneously providing a rapid means to help meet urgent theater demands,” Gen. McChrystal said.They never got them.
Why? - a couple of congresscritters (Sen Samuel Brownback (HawkerBeechcraft-Kan.) and Rep. Todd Tiarht (HawkerBeechcraft-Kan.) blocked the program until the AT-6 might be ready.
I think it was an idle McDonald Douglas plant in Ohio. Clinton sold it to China for a measly five million. The key for China was the specialized metal bending equipment necessary for building aircraft. And of course, for the campaign contributions from China, Slick made sure they got just about anything they wanted, including our missile MIRV technology.
Uh, this competition is for a light attack aircraft to provide to the Afghan National Army Air Corps.
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